Lithium methoxide reaction with formaldehyde

Derivatives of 1-methyl-3//-l,4-benzodiazepine-2,5(l/I,4/I)dione (193) were synthesized by ring closure of substituted 2-(A-chloro-acetyl-A-methylaminoJbenzamides with sodium methoxide in methanol.209 Treatment of 193 with lithium aluminum hydride led to reduction of both carbonyl groups.209 The parent tetrahydro system (194) has been prepared by reaction of the tosylate (195) with 1,2-dibromoethane followed by hydrolysis.210 The preparation of 194 by another route had previously been noted.204 Reaction of 194 with formaldehyde or benzaldehyde gave a compound formulated as 196 (R = H or C6H5).210 Hydrolysis of 196 (R = C6H5) with 0.1 N hydrochloric acid gave 194 while 196 (R = H) was not hydrolyzed at this acidity. 

Calculational results also support a transition state formed from the six-membered Lewis salt (50). As calculated at the 3-21G level the transition state for the reaction of lithium methoxide with formaldehyde... 

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